Daniel Smith: "18th Century Bassoon Concerti" (2 volumes) assisted by the Ravina Chamber Ensemble. Works include: (vol. 1) Graupner, Concerto in C minor; Fasch, Concerto in C major; Graun, Concerto in Bb major. (Vol. II) Hargrave, Concerto in G major; Vivaldi, Concerto No. 8 in F major, and Bond, Concerto No. 6 in Bb major. (Spectrum Records, Division of Uni-Pro Recordings, Harriman, NY 10926)
Peter Christlieb: "Self Portrait" (Peter is the tenor saxophonist son of bassoonist, Don Christlieb, who appears in this album on both bassoon and contra. This jazz collection was a Grammy Award nominated album). (Bosco Records: PC #1. Box 2085, Canoga Park, CA 91306. $8.98.)
Don Christlieb: "Works by Halsey Stevens, Allan Blank, Michael Corette, Bach, Peter Christlieb, and William Sloan." (RAHMP Recordings, catalog #204, Christlieb Products, 3311 Scadlock Lane, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.)
Knut Sonstevold: "The Virtuoso Bassoon" with Eva Knardahl, piano (BIS LP-122). Works include the Sonatine by Tansman, Sonata by Hindemith, Interferences (1972) by Roger Boutry, the Little Suite (1945) by Karl-Birger Blomdahl and Monologue 5 (1975) by Eiland von Koch. Andy Ojanto claims that " . . . both the Heckel and Bosendorfer are so warmly captured that the 'fi' is the 'hi-est' . . ."
Bronx Arts Ensemble:
These three excellent recordings by members of the Bronx Arts Ensemble bring together collections of less well known but significant chamber music by some of history's more obscure composers. Of particular interest are the works by two women composers, Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre, a favorite at the court of Louis XIV despite the notorious creative chauvinism of the period, and Jeanne-Louise Dumont Farrenc (1804-1875) who enjoyed a very successful career as Professeur of Piano at the Paris Conservatoire for 30 years. The works are skillfully performed and recorded by Leonarda Records (P.O. Box 124, Radio City Station, New York NY 10101) under the directorship of William Scribner who also performs so beautifully as the bassoonist of the ensemble. The other double reed artist featured in these albums is oboist Louise Scribner. I heartily recommend these recordings for both their fine performances and exquisite pressings--especially for you wind players looking for some different literature.
Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet (including Laila Storch, oboe; and Arthur Grossman, bassoon: Danzi Wind Quintets (Op. 56, No. 1 in Bb major and No. 2 in G minor, Op. 67 No. 1 in G major and No. 2 in E minor. Musical Heritage Society (MHS 4621).
Soni Ventorum with Montserrat Alavedra, soprano, and The Contemporary Group of the University of Washington, Michel Singher, conductor. Works include: Eternal Truths for Wind Quartet by William O. Smith, The Yew Tree for soprano and Chamber Orchestra, by Diane Thome, and Four Songs on Poems by Juan Ramon Jimenez for soprano and wind quintet by Joseph Goodman. Crystal Records (#S257).
Luigi Merci: Six Sonatas for Bassoon and Piano, Op. 3, edited and realized by William Schink (in 2 volumes) Roncorp, P.O. Box 724 Cherry Hill, NJ 08003. These miniature works from the mature Baroque period provide excellent material for the modern recitalist, the baroque bassoon specialist, and the instructor looking for technically less demanding literature from the Baroque era for use by their intermediate students. They have been realized very well by William Schink, bassoonist at Oregon State University, Corvallis. They are a valuable addition to the Baroque literature.
Christoph Schaffrath: Duetto in G minor for bassoon and obbligato harpsichord. (FAG-19) edited by Hugo Ruf, Schott Editions, Mainz, Germany 1980. Similar to the Merci Sonatas, though somewhat more static, is this work by Christoph Schaffrath (1709-1763). It is particularly usable because of the limited technical demands on the bassoonist for both range and facility. It's short three movements, however, would hardly seem worthy of the rather high price. (My copy is marked for $7.00.)